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Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

economist.com

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Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#61

Post by ricardobayes »

rudyfink wrote: post #6

I have no idea if it is true, but, in Egypt, my guide (who I will say was wonderfully knowledgeable on historic matters), stated that the reason many properties had rebar extending upwards (e.g., it looked like there were more stories to be added) was related to tax policy. I forget the full detail of her explanation, but there was some different kind of tax treatment if the building was "finished," so there were a n…

Same in Spain. Paperwork surrounding a newly build house costs a lot, up to 25% of the whole project, so in many instances people decide to build illegally. Nobody touches them as it would be a massive political uproar if any ruling political party tried to clean the situation up. Also, if no neighbors 'denounce' an illegal building, it becomes legal after 4 years or so.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#62

Post by WalterBright »

pentae wrote: post #42
periheli0n wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This would never be possible in the UK. Rainwater and sea spray would corrode any exposed rebar away within a few years. In fact, I wonder whether it is such a good idea to build on rebar that has been exposed to the environment for an extended period of time.

You can wrap it in plastic and this is a non issue

Plastic doesn't hold up well to sunlight.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#63

Post by Raed667 »

One common story I've seen repeatedly in Tunisia, involves poor planning and cost forecasting. Basically, a lot of people think that once the walls and roof are set they'd be 90% done.

In reality, the "finishing" phase can cost the same as the "base" costs (Or more depending on what quality-standard you're aiming for).

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#64

Post by DrAwdeOccarim »

infoaddicted wrote: post #46
pentae wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can wrap it in plastic and this is a non issue

My experience living on a Florida key gives me the intuition that that is false, unless by wrap you mean seal

I was unaware of how incredibly destructive the combination of daily, continuous, direct sunlight, humidity, and salt water was until my parents moved to Florida. It's really incredible. A few years and literally every material is mottled and crispy.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#66

Post by hnbad »

bellyfullofbac wrote: post #52
hnbad wrote: post #44

When I talked to someone running a "work & travel" agency in Europe that was mostly frequented by young people looking to do "something meaningful" in poorer countries he mentioned that an open secret was that frequently these kids would end up helping "construct" buildings only for those to be torn down again afterwards because they weren't up to spec and local craftspeople would then rebuild them properly on their…

Sounds like an urban legend. If the local people want the building, why not guide the helpers so they have a proper building from the start, rather than waste their own time building something shoddy, tearing it down, and building it again? My Western viewpoint also thinks there isn't much "spec" that poorer countries follow, maybe just: if it looks like it won't collapse, it's good enough, and hopefully young people…

The college kids are paying money for food and lodging. They're basically paying for an adventure and a cozy feeling and they get that.

People in poor countries don't need scrawny wealthy college kids to help them build mud huts that are "good enough" as long as they look like they won't collapse. Not to mention that most of those kids probably have no prior experience building anything by hand or the physical strength, energy and motivation to be truly helpful.

Considering how much HN celebrates entrepreneurship and "disrupting" established business models, I wonder why you think they're more likely to be inept enough to benefit from an untrained, unskilled and likely undermotivated foreign kid helping them build things than having figured out there's a business in selling the "foreign aid" experience.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#67

Post by Cthulhu_ »

staticautomatic wrote: post #17
gpvos wrote: post #2

A few years ago I read an article that argued that one of the best ways to help many African countries would be to send accountants and help set up a cadastre.

In case anyone else doesn’t know the word cadastre: > a register of property showing the extent, value, and ownership of land for taxation.

And if that is set up properly, you can combine it with o make some great interactive visulalizations like https://3dbag.nl/en/viewer

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#68

Post by MomoXenosaga »

trymas wrote: post #56
daniel_iversen wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same in Greece (tax rules) apparently, and there you’ll also see lots and lots of unfinished buildings.

But how people can live in such buildings then? I understand about poorer countries with lack of regulations, but have not thought that's possible in Europe. Government should not allow anyone to live or operate in such buildings if they're not up to code and are not finished. How people can get mortgages for such things, or how business can register their offices if building is permanently "under construction"?

Europe is very diverse. From "what are we going to do with all this oil money" Norway to "there are shacks with people in them" Bulgaria.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#69

Post by gpvos »

gpvos wrote: post #2

A few years ago I read an article that argued that one of the best ways to help many African countries would be to send accountants and help set up a cadastre.

It was probably this one (Dutch): https://decorrespondent.nl/4060/wat-is-oersaai-en-gaat-de-we...

It actually argued for lots more bureaucracy, not accountants particularly. And for a cadastre / land registry. And indeed mentions Hernando de Soto's work in Peru and Egypt.

Re: Why are there so many unfinished buildings in Africa?

#70

Post by throwaway210222 »

eraserj wrote: post #37
gpvos wrote: post #2

A few years ago I read an article that argued that one of the best ways to help many African countries would be to send accountants and help set up a cadastre.

Ghana and DRC are trying to set up a cadastre using blockchain, let's see how it goes.

Many a Zimbabwean will tell you that none of this matters if the local police refuse to arrest people (violently) contesting your ownership.

In fact, the police (and local politicians) are often present to contribute to the threat.

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